2009/10 UEFA Champions League

Some of the comments here are baffling

Inter won the tie at the San Siro and were always going to have enough defensive cover to put Barca to bed. They proved their credentials by keeping what is supposedly the best side in Europe at bay for 60 minutes with 10 men.

For me, that was a game between the two best sides in Europe and Inter prevailed. If they win the final, I'll happily call them the best.

Mourinho can adjust his side to the opponent. Barca were outgunned and people have to realise that they do lack quality in certain areas; Pedro Rodriguez and Jeffren are decidedly average players in a team of worldbeaters.

Europe needs to wake up; Inter are the real deal this season.

Why on earth would Inter risk a place in the final of the greatest competition in the world just so they could play entertaining football? They played it perfect tonight and proved that you need more than flair to win a tie.

I have mixed feelings about tonight.

In my opinion Motta shouldn't have been red carded, the Barca 1st goal was offside and that wasn't a hand ball. All in all Inter have done all that they should in the 1st game and tonight was a match to forget as soon as possible.

It's going to be an all German vs all Italy final. We have title contenders and cup finalists from respective countries meeting in a final in Spain. It's going to be epic.

If Inter don't choke in the following weeks they have a chance for the quad title (scudetto, coppa, supercoppa and CL). On the other hand they could lose everything. Let's see what they are made of.

Sile it wasn't an offside - there is a black dude in the far end covering for Pique. I think it's Muntari ir Eto'o

Inter must win UCL... or Italy would get only 3 places in UCL.. (and more hard to us for reaching UCL's place in the future)

Go Inter!! beat the germans!

Giolazio wrote:

Why on earth would Inter risk a place in the final of the greatest competition in the world just so they could play entertaining football? They played it perfect tonight and proved that you need more than flair to win a tie.

Fully agree.

Over the two ties Mourinho played the smarter football and tactically outplayed Guardiola. It wasn't entertaining, not much possession or shots, they had some luck as well - but their counter attacks were very good and it got the job done.

As much as I like Barcelona and wanted to see them in the final again, its good to see a respectable and deserving side like Inter make it, and I congratulate them. In saying that however, Barca could have gone through had they had some luck go their way and Julio Cesar not make constant such world class saves.

The red card against Motta was ridiculous. As much as I like Busquets as a player his attitude and sportsmanship can at times really piss me off. There was no need for that. Also, Mourinho's post match celebrations were unnecessary.

Its good for Italian football and will help the co-efficient ratings - even though the other finalist is a German team.

As for the final it'll be interesting to see how the match turns out. I'll be cheering on Inter!

Barca, at times is 'the art in attacking'.

Yesterday Inter showed 'the art of defending', from start till the end.

Respect to Barca coach & players, about not whining about their defensive tactics, or Milito's off-side goal at Meazza, or so on.
Shows also you have to be 'big' in defeat.

justice has been done. barca tasted is own medicine, cheating and looking for penaltys and red cards (busquets must go to the theatre). i hope chelsea fans celebrated the goals a lot, cause they deserve to be happy today. grazie mou, to sent this team where they deserve.

Broencoceleste wrote:

Inter must win UCL... or Italy would get only 3 places in UCL.. (and more hard to us for reaching UCL's place in the future)

Go Inter!! beat the germans!

I think for this to happen, also Hamburg can't go to Euro league final...

So forza Fulham and Inter

Roman_Eagle wrote:

Sile it wasn't an offside - there is a black dude in the far end covering for Pique. I think it's Muntari ir Eto'o

Yeah I saw the black dude and I still think it was offside, half a step in front but an offside nonetheless.

And I agree with what Paz said, there was a great amount of grace in Barca's defeat. I just wonder what the story with the sprinklers was, looked ridiculous Maybe they were trying to cool Inter players

Sile wrote:

I just wonder what the story with the sprinklers was, looked ridiculous Maybe they were trying to cool Inter players

As simple as the groundsmen being bad losers and turning them on to spoil Inter's victory party.

Barcelona are a great club that command respect but all the little incidents are starting to add up; from Busquet's acting, to various diving moments to malicious staff at the Nou Camp.

Inter won 3-2 over the 2 legs, simple at that. Ignoring the red card which obviously determind how they would then play, they gained the right to play exactly the way they did by winning 3-1 at home. To keep Messi out for two matches and to not be over-run like most teams have this season shows that Inter played correctly to win the tie.

I agree with all who say it showed the art of defending, something that doesn't get you credit these days. Lucio and Samuel were unbelievably good, clearing, tackling, blocking and defending their goal like their lives depended on it. Zanetti just keeps going and belayed his age, Cambiasso showed again that he is one of the best in his position and it was incredible seeing the work rate of Eto'o and Milito when defending and then running half the pitch on their own with zero support - talk about a thankless task. I was willing them to hold on at the end, it just seemed a fair reward for the effort they all put in.

Barca weren't on their game and if they couldn't break down 10 men then they didn't desreve to win, regardless of their "beautiful" football. To be honest both main men, Xavi and Messi, disappointed and like Caxi said, some of the others aren't really at the top level - and it showed.

Was it Jefferson from "The Bundys" who came in for Barca?

pazke wrote:

Barca, at times is 'the art in attacking'.

Yesterday Inter showed 'the art of defending', from start till the end.

Respect to Barca coach & players, about not whining about their defensive tactics, or Milito's off-side goal at Meazza, or so on.
Shows also you have to be 'big' in defeat.

Well said Paz. And respect to both sides for giving it their all over both legs and playing to their styles (or styles of their opponents).

As much as it hurts them its good to see Guardiola and the Barcelona players not bitching about Inter's defensive approach either, unlike some other teams, and instead congratulating them.

...and so they should, it's ridiculous to criticize. It would be like putting a hedgehog up against a fox and telling the hedgehog not to curl up into a ball. Everything has different strenghts and qualities, just so happens that Inter's is defending, Barca's is attacking.

i m against defending footbal but,
when you have credits of two goals,plays against best team in the world,in their stadium,against the great technic skills players(messi,xavi,ibra)ypu have only one choise,DEFENSE.
i think that mourinho use the same tactic of hidding (but iniesta last year score in the end of the match)wich is block messi and leave dani alves always free,and its works once again(alves didnt use that space)
ibra was poor but he was blocked and he didnt have a ball,he was and is the only men who can shot from the distance(seriosly,not like keita)
leaving henry on the bench and using bojan not him was something that i couldnt and i dont wanna understand
the last barca subs-no need for comment,suicide

Pandev to start in the final!!!

Go Goran, fuck those german bastards up!!!

DAJE INTER!!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!

No Inter tonight!

I'll go with Bayern!!!

a PK could be awarded in the 16th min for a handball by Maicon. I also think I'd go with bayern

Streams, anyone, plz?

Inter 1 up - here comes the catenccio

if bayern wins then italy will loose the 4th place for the cl

im hoping inter wins and they are doing a smart job and are half way there

Milito officially saved Italian football as a whole.

He saved the 4th spot for Italy in CL.

He denied merda the scudetto.

He denied merda the Coppa.

Obviously, my favorite player outside Lazio.

Grazie Il Principe!!!

As you said Sile
THANKS MILITO

Milito simply has to be in line for European and World Player of the Year. Achievements are second to none and he scored all the winning goals. Messi he is not but boy would he deserve it. Great to see Zanetti lift that and kudos to Deki and Goran too; not my favourite people in all the world but nice to see some of our own gain some glory.

Finally, hats off to Mourinho. Was always one of his harshest critics and I have to take it all back; he really is a "special one." To revolutionise a team and win everything in one season is nothing short of remarkable.

Serie A is back in the big time.